Home
HelpTest Code SSF1 Nocardia Stain, Varies
Reporting Name
Nocardia StainUseful For
Detecting Nocardia species and other partially-acid fast aerobic actinomycetes in clinical specimens
Reflex Tests
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| TISSR | Tissue Processing | No, (Bill Only) | No |
Testing Algorithm
When this test is ordered, tissue processing may be performed at an additional charge.
Method Name
Modified Acid-Fast Stain
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
VariesNecessary Information
Specimen source is required.
Specimen Required
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: 0.2 mL
Collection Instructions: Collect a raw specimen.
Specimen Minimum Volume
See Specimen Required
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varies | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days | |
| Ambient | 7 days |
Reject Due To
| Blood Bone marrow Fixed tissue Viral transport media (including but not limited to M4, M5, BD viral transport media, thioglycolate broth) Environmental specimen Wood shaft or charcoal swab Prepared slides, glass slides, microscope slides |
Reject |
Reference Values
Reported as positive or negative
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
CPT Code Information
87206
87176-Tissue processing (if appropriate)
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| SSF1 | Nocardia Stain | 21003-9 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| SSF1 | Nocardia Stain | In Process |
Clinical Information
Nocardia species and other aerobic actinomycetes can cause significant disease in immunocompromised patients. Clinical presentations can include, but are not limited to, pneumonia, skin abscess, bacteremia, brain abscess, eye infection, and joint infection.
The modified acid-fast stain can detect Nocardia species and other partially-acid fast aerobic actinomycetes directly from clinical specimens.
Interpretation
Patients whose specimens are reported as partially acid-fast positive should be considered potentially infected with Nocardia species or other aerobic actinomycetes, pending definitive diagnosis by molecular methods or culture.
Cautions
Artifacts may exhibit nonspecific staining and be confused with organisms. Not all aerobic actinomycetes stain as partially acid-fast. A negative stain does not rule out the possibility of infection and culture should be performed. Nocardia species and other aerobic actinomycetes grow well on mycobacterial culture medium so CTB / Mycobacteria and Nocardia Culture, Varies should be ordered. Sometimes, Nocardia species can also be recovered in fungal cultures (FGEN / Fungal Culture, Routine).
Method Description
Modified acid-fast stain. This method uses carbolfuchsin stain (Kinyoun method) with a milder decolorization step for detection of Nocardia species.(Atlas R, Snyder J. Reagents, stains and media: Bacteriology. In: Carrol KC, Pfaller MA, Landry ML, et al, eds. Manual of Clinical Microbiology, 12th ed. ASM Press; 2019:331-361)